Top 10 Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

Dec 05, 2016

The pain and discomfort that come with acid reflux can make it difficult to work, relax and even sleep. Fortunately, there are wonderful natural remedies that can quickly relieve acid reflux. Surprisingly, the top remedy for acid reflux is apple cider vinegar, which may seem counter-intuitive, but works fast because the vinegar alkalizes your pH. However, many more natural cure options are available besides the ACV, like baking soda and pickle juice!

We've put together a list of the 10 most effective remedies for acid reflux for short term and long term relief.

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when the contents from your stomach come up into your esophagus. Because your food has mixed with the digestive juices in your stomach (which are acidic for the purpose of breaking down your food) the food that comes up is sour or acidic and quite unpleasant.

Remedies for Instant Relief from Acid Reflux

Fortunately, some of the easiest short term solutions for acid reflux are likely in your kitchen right now!

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

While it may contradict your intuition to take something as acidic as apple cider vinegar to cure your acid reflux, raw and organic apple cider vinegar works very to bring immediate relief to your acid reflux by facilitating digestion and restoring proper pH to the stomach. When used for medicinal purposes, organic apple cider vinegar is the best.

2. Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has been used for generations to cure digestive problems. ½ teaspoon of baking soda is added to 4-6 ounces of water and taken internally. This not only helps to neutralize the acid in your stomach, it will neutralize the acid in your throat.

3. Pickle Juice

Because pickle juice contains a lot of vinegar, it works similarly to apple cider vinegar. Pickle juice is more palatable than vinegar for many people and just as effective.

Preventing Acid Reflux

If you are prone to acid reflux, natural remedies to prevent reflux will help you to avoid the misery in the first place.

4. Probiotics

Probiotics promote good digestion. Taking a probiotic supplement or regularly consuming probiotic foods like kefir, kombucha or kimchi can help your digestion to work well all of the time, reducing incidents of acid reflux or other digestive problems.

5. Digestive Enzymes

Taking digestive enzymes with your food will help your food to be digested properly, preventing acid reflux attacks. While the body normally produces digestive enzymes on its own, sometimes it needs a little help, especially because aging or hormonal changes can cause a reduction in digestive enzymes.

6. Aloe

Aloe is a gentle remedy that is helpful to a variety of digestive ills. Aloe juice or supplements can be used on a regular basis to improve your digestion.

Lifestyle Changes to Eliminate Acid Reflux

Making some modifications in certain practices can reduce or eliminate acid reflux.

7. Lose Weight

If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce acid reflux attacks. Eating less food at each individual meal will also reduce the risk of an acid attack.

8. Don’t Eat Before Bed

Having a full stomach when you lie down in bed is a recipe for digestive distress! Have you last meal a few hours before bedtime. Resist that bedtime snack. Suck on a mint instead and then brush your teeth. You will be less tempted to eat something else if your mouth feels fresh and clean.

9. Drink More Water

Chronic low grade dehydration can be a cause of acid reflux. Energy drinks, coffee, and soda may be liquids but they are not a good source of proper hydration. Add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to a quart of water and consume this throughout the day. The salt helps your body to use the water effectively in the cells instead of having it just flush through your system. Drinking more water will also help you to eat less, reducing your risk of acid reflux.

Change Your Diet

10. Dietary Changes

Like it or not, some foods may be the root cause of your acid reflux. Pinpointing these foods and avoiding them, or at least consuming them less often or in smaller quantities will be worth it if you feel better.

Alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, fried foods, tomatoes, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices are all common causes of acid reflux. Of course, everyone is different. You will need to pay attention to the foods you eat (keeping a log of what you eat for a week can help you make connections between certain foods and acid reflux) and plan your menus accordingly.

Medications and Acid Reflux

Over the counter medications for acid reflux may provide temporary relief but used on a regular basis can cause other health problems. Calcium carbonate, an inexpensive over the counter remedy for acid reflux, can actually cause your body to make more acid over time as it compensates for the acid reduction. It has also been linked to kidney stones.

Proton pump inhibitors have become quite popular in the treatment of acid reflux. Unfortunately, they have been linked to bone fractures, vitamin deficiency, and even pneumonia when used long term. A safer option would be to improve your health to eliminate your acid reflux. Covering up any problem with medication is not a good long term solution.

While acid reflux medication carry side effects, other medications have acid reflux as a side effect! If you take medications on a regular basis, you may need to investigate and see if one or more of them could be causing your digest problems. Pain medications, medications for anxiety and depression, and antibiotics can all cause acid reflux!

Could My Acid Reflux Be a Sign of Something More Serious?

Absolutely.

If the “instant relief” remedies above do not bring you relief in short order and/or you have pain in your chest that radiates to your arm, neck, jaw or back, or if you experience dizziness, shortness of breath or cold sweats, seek immediate medical attention to rule out a heart issue.

If your bouts of acid reflux happen on a regular basis, you may have a chronic digestive disorder like GERD, hiatal hernia or gallbladder disease. It is wise to seek medical counsel to understand what you are dealing so that you can best treat it.

Have you tried a natural remedy for acid reflux? Please send us some feedback! Continue reading to learn which remedies our readers found to be effective in curing their acid reflux.

Acidophilus

I've been suffering with GERD since my gallbladder surgery. It has been pretty painful at times. I was never able to take the meds for it (too many side affects). The Apple cider vinegar tore my stomach up. My routine is papaya enzyme after each meal and acidophilus at bedtime with chamomile tea. You have to make lifestyle changes too. No caffeine, smoking. I eat to live not live to eat. My meals are simple grilled meats and lots of fruits and vegetables. Processed bread seemed to make it worse so I went to gluten free. I've given up all spices and seasonings and no longer miss them. Switched from whole milk to coconut milk. Exercise is just 30 minutes of walking. Losing weight will help.

Hi had been suffering from terrible acid reflux. So took the advice on here and brought a Probotic from the chemist. After 3 days no reflux so I just take one everyday and its gone away. So thanks for the great advice.

I took some parasite medication for a few days on an empty stomach soon I had a burning stomach and esphogas and acid reflux... Feeling I was also having shortness of breath and pressure type of feeling on my chest, My ND gave me probiotics and told me to open the capsules dump the content into a 1/2 glass of water and swish the probiotics powder in my mouth then drink it down. And the ND suggested pt drinking lactose free PLAIN KEFIR no sugar in and within 24 hours I felt a dramatic change, within three days I had zero pain and my symptoms all feel away.

I take acidophilus every night for its beneficial bacteria. I noticed about a week after I started taking it that I no longer get acid reflux. I take 2 refrigerated pills with a glass of water just before going to bed. Highly recommend this.

My doctor gave me therelac, and I bought a probiotic that has was in the freezer section that a grocery store it is a organic raw probiotics powder it has 500 billion CfU with 34 strains it has the USDA approval I swear one day they will have gadzillion cfu's My Chinese medicine doctor suggested slippery elm to calm the stomach and fresh ginger in water, body biotics first I had ever heard of it wnt on Amazon and bought the highly rated Broad Spectrum Probioic Prebiotic Powder He told me that our produce is washed and sterilized so many times before it gets to the plate that it is not allowing the body to build the flora it needs. He told me just eat things right out our garden without washing it and allowing the good flora to build up in the system . The oral surgeon, told me he is telling his grandchildren not to use those antibacterial pumps they have in public place, because it disrupts the bodies ability to build up the natural resistance it needs to protect itself. Something to think about it.

If I were pregnant with hypertension, I would discontinue all carbonated beverages (damage the kidneys) and would start taking a good magnesium supplement or using the magnesium oil to bring the levels up to normal without getting the laxative effect. As said before, look up Deirdre's praise for it on EC. Remember that magnesium does many things in our body, including relaxing muscles. It is a required mineral for proper functioning, not a foreign drug that will probably create other problems for you to deal with.

I should have also mentioned that the wonder IV medication that they give the eclamptic pregnant woman when in distress is nothing more than magnesium sulphate commonly known as Epsom Salts. This should tell you that it should be safe during pregnancy.

Replied by Johnblack London, London City Of , United Kingdom
05/05/2011

My father is suffering from heartburn after almost every meal. Our family doctor has told us that he is suffering from acid reflux disease. He has prescribed him to take Prevacid. Could any one tell me what are the other symptoms of acid reflux disease. Although doctor has provide me some information regarding this but I want to know some more information about acid reflux disease. I will appreciate any information regarding this.

I agree with this, after trying a lot of things including aloe vera (helpful), apple vinegar (not so helpful)... The probiotics definitely are a great supplement. They basically help curb your acid reflux by fixing and strenghtening the digestive tract.

After a couple weeks of taking them, the stomach should function well on its own, but from my own experience its best to do a round every two or three months as a maintance tool.

Is it ok to use the acidophilus along with the Prevacid? so afraid to go off it, cuz it takes so long to kick back in... I really think my problem is silent reflux, (have no heartburn) mostly discomfort in throat.

I too hardly ever feel the pain associated with acid reflux and was very very upset to learn I had this condition along with scaring of my stomach. Where do you buy aloe vera? I'm willing to try anything. I've been taking Pepcid but it didn't help and now I'm also on Nexium for the stomach issues. Very upsetting when all I have as a symptom is some hoarseness a few days a week.

All those prescriptions that most (not all) Dr's LOVE to give like nexium and prilosec are linked to kidney damage. Highly recommend you find a natural alternative asap. google it and you'll see lawsuits pending.

66 percent of cases, a treatment consisting primarily of acidophilus and digestive enzymes will usually do the trick. In Dr. Spreen's words: "Acidophilus supplements (powder form, the liquid tastes awful) protect the oesophagus without killing acid (while killing the pain almost immediately). The hassle is, you have to keep it handy and take it often if you don't solve the whole problem, which involves tightening the gastro oesophageal sphincter. Dr. Spreen describes his treatment as "ridiculously simple and cheap." And while he feels confident that he can stop more than 2/3 of all heartburn and reflux cases.

Acid reflux can be caused by a lot of different reasons. Things that worked for others might not work for you. You have to keep trying different things until one sticks. For me raw okra juice worked like a charm.. Please give it a shot. Make sure the okra are immature and small and also remove the seeds.

Hi. Please explain how you used raw okra juice to curb acidity. How many okra pieces are to be used, how to juice them, what time to take them, early morning on empty stomach, between meals when acid sensation begins. Please help, as this may work for my hyper acidity.

Hi Ed, thanks a lot for your reply. Actually, I have IBS and acid-alkali imbalance causes irritation to my nerves. A protective coating helps. I'd be happy if you could answer these questions- Should the 1 teaspoon of licorice in water be taken early morning on empty stomach? Will the coating be enough to last through the day? Or should I take smaller quantities of it before each meal? Are DGL tablets more effective? Thanks.

Hi Vanitha, One teaspoon of licorice is a very big dose in my opinion. The side effect of too much licorice is High BP, so be careful. If I was in your condition I will start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bi carbonate in half glass of water 30 to 45 minutes after the meals. You may have to change your life style, eating habits and may be there is some stress which you have to take care of. There is a lot written on this site for alkalising your body and connect it with your symptoms and do the needful. Good luck.

I have been suffering from acid reflux for many years; I came across your website and tried the pure cherry juice as well as the acidophilus pills. I ran out of the cherry juice and can't comment on how well it worked but I can tell you that the acidophilus has been working; I was taking it at night after my meal and was sleeping without a problem. I'd recently taken a few generic pain relievers and coincidentally or not my acid reflux returned; I'm going to carefully monitor when I take it and how I feel from now on.

I have only one word.. Probiotics'... After 15 years of taking toxic medications, I found a nutritionist who introduce me to Probiotics... Trust me just find a website that sells this product. I personally take _____. Stop taking those life threntening medication for gastrointestinal problems and try probiotic, you will thank me...I take a few before or after every meal.... You will not be disappointed I promise... Good luck...

I have been taking Nexium since 04 for GERD. It works well but i heard it can cause Osteoperosis and I just dont like putting it in my body. What is probiotics, is there any relation between that and the Apple Cider Vinegar?

Acid Reflux in a lot of cases seem to be a misdiagnosed condition. A majority of these cases is the body trying to rid itself of underdigested food. If you are over forty and is experiencing acid reflux in addition to bloating, gas, nausea, rapid heartbeat (due to the pressure of gas in your stomach) especially after meals. You might want to investigate if you are having a case of low stomach acid. These symptoms are similar to those of high stomach acid. A good digestive enzyme with acidopholous should do the trick.If you do not have ulcers you might want to look into the use of HCL betaine (has properties similar to stomach acid). ACV can help in the digestive process if taken with meals but in my experience it discourages the body from producing its own acid and you could become addicted.If you find yourself using over 2TBLS of ACV to get releif you are more than likely low in stomach acid. The low stomach acid can lead to stomach ulcers,digestive issues andacidic blood and of course H- Pylori bacteria then becomes active in these conditions. If you are having a case of adult acne esp on the back and face this might well be your problem. I have used cayenne peper 1/4 - 1/2 tsp 3 times daily to heal stomach ulcers. I also use raw cabbage and aloe vera juice (2-3 cups per day} with excellent results along with chewing ginger and honey and raw garlic to alleviate symptoms of gas. If you are low in acid Nexium, prilosec etc. will actually be the opposite of what you need. Hope this info helps.

QUESTION- to Leon from Florida! What test need to be done to know if you have low stomach acid! in my case when i take medicine like pepcit or ACV make my stomach more acid!. can you please let me know how i can tell which is high and which is low acid. thank you so much

@ Brian from Brooklyn: Your intestinal tract has bacteria in it which is used to aid in the digestion of food. Part of this bacteria is GOOD bacteria and part is bad bacteria. Usually there is a balance of both. When you have more bad bacteria than good you can have Candida issues. Probiotics is the good bacteria that your body uses to aid in digestion. Adding probiotics to your body can help with all kinds of intestinal issues.

Activated Charcoal

I have tried nearly all of the remedies listed here for Acid Reflux. The only thing that has greatly helped me is a recommendation from a lady at the local vitamin store. I now take Activated Charcoal capsules, 260 mg. I take two at a time, up to 3 times daily. Sometimes 2 capsules per day is enough. It helps tremendously. I was in bad pain nearly all the time, but thank God, now this seems a minor pain.

This will work but if you take this for a long period of time it will deplete or prevent other vitamins from absorbing into your system. I was on this for several months and had really low iron because of it.

Acupressure

Hi All, Would like to share a trick I use when I get acid reflux at night and have no ACV or other remedy at hand. Fluff up your pillow, get into bed and roll over onto your LEFT SIDE, make a fist and press into the hollow area at centre of chest just under your rib cage, and above the stomach. If you use enough pressure, you should feel relief within a minute or two, it works almost immediately for me. I hope it may work for others also. Never sleep on your right side, as it tends to make the reflux worse. It is very difficult for me to get ACV down my throat ,as I dislike it so much, it gives me shivers just thinking about it. I managed to get it down mixed with some water a few times so I know it works for acid reflux. Now I just sip a little pickle juice but I don't recommend this for others because of the salt content,Thanks for the great site,cheers to all,Ila

Awesome for reflux. I know this technique as the diaphramatic release. My understanding is that this works because diaphragm spasm (or tightness) causes it to be ineffective at supporting the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). If this is a component to your reflux, it will definitely help.

For the acid part, my favorite is Sodium citrate. Works by neutralizing and then buffering the stomach's acidity. Does not cause the rebound effect of calcium containing solutions (calcium stimulates the body to secrete more acid, as acid is required for its absorption). Can easily be made by combining 4oz of orange juice with 1/2 tsp of baking soda.

ACV, Ginger, Garlic

Posted by Lisa (Abilene, Texas) on 02/02/2012

I have had constant acid reflux/heartburn for weeks and I mean the kind that will wake you up at night in tears and not want to eat:( I tried every remedy on here and I finally got desperate and started doing random google searches on acid reflux cures and came across this Amish remedy.... It's called "proven old Amish formula-stops acid reflux in about a minute" by: Caleb Treeze organic Farm. It is sold in certain health food stores if you do a search on their site you can find one in your area. This stuff is a combo of ACV, ginger and garlic... This stuff is nothing short of a miracle!!! If you have tried everything else and nothing worked try this it's awesome!!!

I have read so very much on this site about those of us with Acid Reflux. I have tried everything and nothing seemed to work until I discovered that acid problems are caused by eating too many or too much food that produces acid. Then I discovered the alkaline diet which has wonderful foods on it and it has changed my life. There are still wonderful foods on this diet. I make a green smoothie for breakfast with spinach, a banana, an apple, and a handful of greens such as spring mix or any of the other dark lettuces or kale,collards, etc. I also add a scoop of Whey Protein and 1 T. Chia seeds. Then I add 8 oz. water and a small glass of ice. I blend all of this in my Vitamix and drink this power house of nutrition. I'm not even hungry at noon many times. Then for lunch and dinner I eat from the alkaline side of the alkaline acid chart that you can download after you google acid alkaline food list. When I eat like this I never burn or have acid problems and don't need acid drugs of any kind. It has been wonderful for me. I love snacking on dates, figs, other dried fruits, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, etc. And isn't this the way God intended for us to eat? I also take Michael James minerals and potassium capsules because they also help to keep you alkaline. Chlorella is also alkaline. It helps too. This protocol works for everyone.

Thanks for the alkaline food information. I had wondered why bananas and apples always made me feel better even though I was adding food to an upset stomach, and now I know: these foods are reducing the acid in my stomach. I looked up the food lists, though, and it seems like a few foods are in contention, like oatmeal. Some lists say it's alkaline, some say it's acid, and there are a few other items that cross lists as well. Could these actually be balanced foods rather than one or the other? Is there a place for acid foods in the diet, so long as you're getting enough alkaline? Thanks for sharing about alkaline foods.

I have had acid reflux for years and I hardly ever feel the symptoms of heartburn, I only have that irritating tickling on the left side of my throat, followed by lots of coughing and then mucus that I'm clearing my throat for minutes afterwards, it is very troublesome. I can only lay on a certain side at night and cough all of the time. I have a book that lists some common alkaline ash foods and some common acid ash foods. Eating the foods on the alkaline food list help control the acid while the acid ash food list leave strong acid in your body, so by eating the alkaline foods such as apples, almonds, apricots, bananas just to name a few, versus bacon, beef, bran, wheat, cheese, chicken, crackers, these foods are on the acid list. Just an example of how we really have to watch our diets if we want to help control our acid reflux. I am going to try the ACV (apple cider vinegar) tonight, wish me luck, because I have been suffering with this annoying cough for years!!!

All these remedies do not address what people are putting initially in their bodies! Everyone is consuming acid causing foods. The basic theory is that acidic foods (ex. orange) cause an alkaline tummy. Alkaline foods cause an acid stomache. If you eat a lot of bread, rice, grains, etc. you will have reflux or an acid stomache. If you balance your diet with fruits and vegetables you will greatly reduce your chance of an acidic stomache. Find an acid alkaline food chart on google. There are quite a few. This explains why some people found relief from apples. It is an alkalizing fruit! So are beets, broccoli, carrots, etc. But be careful! Some fruits and vegees are acidifying like corn, lentils, blueberries, cranberries, canned fruits, plums, prunes, etc. That is why the chart is so important. I was a candidate for nexium and anti-acid pills. However, I changed my life by maintaining the acid alkaline diet. Please consider this. I've changed a lot of people's lives by sharing this information. However, a couple of my friends and family who have NOT taken this advice are now on anti-acid pills. Oh, by the way, fennel seed tea is a miracle worker for after dinner tummy calming. It helps to maintain an alkaline tummy. I need 2 cups to be helpful (I'm 144 lbs). Find the right dose for you. Best of luck!! Here's to your health!

I have had Acid Reflux for 6 and 1/2 years. Tried every prescription and non prescription medicine on the market, they all stopped working after while. I am ACID FREE since September 22-08(for good) I stopped my Protonix (despite my doctor opinion)

I read about the alkalizing diet and started on it right away. I start my day with 2oz of Aloe Vera Gel, then I take enzyme pill and eat breakfast. I am taking enzymes right before every meal. Then I drink a cup of chamomile tea with honey or molasses instead of sugar. I eat an apple around 10 am. Sometimes a pear. After lunch I take B complex vitamin, don't forget the enzyme pill too (it helps to digest the food better) Sometimes I feel a little bit discomfort in my stomach and I become afraid of getting the acid back, at those moments I chew raw almonds ( I always have some in my purse) and I feel fine! And , at last but most important I take PROBIOTICS, 5 or 6 per day, just anytime during the day. The more cultures they contain the better you feel, because we all need to replenish the good bacteria in our intestines (we live in a very stressful and poisoned environment)

Thank you all for the valuable information on this website! God Bless You all...

Hi there, found this really interesting had ulcers and now problems with stomach and acid reflux and would appreciate it if you or anyone who is going through a similar thing and having to change their diet would please write to me. My email address is rychhmo (at)aol(dot) com

I too have stomach problems and reflux. I was just diagnosed with the stomach erosion. Reflux did not get better after 8 months even though I was on H2blockers. So depressed and disappointed. I stayed away from all the trigger foods and it still didn't get better. Now I'm also on a PPI.

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